Here are the facts about Gov. Perry & the Border
The federal government has failed in its duty to secure the border, so states like Texas have been forced to step in to fill the gap.
Gov. Perry has directed more than $400 million since 2005 to provide law enforcement the tools they need to combat border-related crime. Gov. Perry and Texas lawmakers have put more boots on the ground – including Texas Rangers and National Guard units – and improved technology to help law enforcement detect and deter criminal activity on the border.
In January 2009, Perry asked President Obama to authorize 1,000 additional National Guard troops and six helicopters to assist the state in doing Washington’s job, but he has refused.
Gov. Perry supports fencing as part of the solution, in strategic areas, particularly high-traffic and urban areas.
Gov. Perry’s border security initiatives have resulted in the seizure of 6.8 million pounds of marijuana; 82,353 pounds of cocaine; 1,835 pounds of heroin; and 7,552 pounds of methamphetamine which has an estimated value of more than $6.5 billion. In addition, officers have seized $227 million in currency and over 3,500 illegal weapons.
Gov. Perry also signed legislation preventing illegal immigrants from receiving driver’s licenses, and worked to outlaw sanctuary city policies in Texas.
Gov. Perry opposes amnesty and the federal DREAM Act. Washington must first secure the border before we can have any rational discussion about immigration reform. Once that is accomplished, then we can have a conversation about how to address immigration.
As governor, Perry is in command of the state forces. He can put manpower on the border if he wants to. He doesn’t.
He has publicly expressed his opposition to a fence.
He essentially endorsed amnesty (as Gingrich essentially has.)
He singed in-state tuition for illegals into law.
His record seems weak on border security, despite the claims of his partisans.